San Francisco - Alison Bing [148]
For post-rave electronic, hip-hop and chill art lounges, head to SoMa. For gritty hipster and punk dives, pick through the buried treasures in the off-streets of the Mission, and on Divisadero and Haight Sts. Gay-friendly clubs are by no means quarantined in the Castro (see the Gay/Lesbian/Bi/Trans SF chapter, Click here). Seedy Polk St, running from the Civic Center to Russian Hill, had the most historic gay-club scene in town, but new hipster garage-rock clubs like the Hemlock Tavern now draw everyone to Polk Gulch. If you’re looking for 100% straight, you’ll find it in the preppy, upscale Marina; for real Irish bars, head to the Richmond. North Beach has old-timey classics and neon-lit strip joints mixed with trendy martini lounges that morph into nightclubs, and out-of-the-way Bottom of the Hill is serious about live rock and punk. Jazz turns up just about anywhere, as does a very danceable and authentic Latin scene (check out www.salsacrazy.com for nightly action). Comedy clubs are also a pretty big deal; celeb funnies love to test their material here.
To find the hot spots, don’t just check SF Weekly, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, www.nitevibe.com or www.sfstation.com; chat up the people you meet who seem to be in the know, and stay flexible – be ready to hop into a cab to Union Square or the Mission if the scene’s a little flat in SoMa. Note that most regulars don’t show up to clubs until after 10pm and, unlike New York or LA, many clubs close at 2am, with a few exceptions like the EndUp.
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COMEDY
San Francisco is among the USA’s top cities for comedy, and well-known comics often try out their new material here, which can make for a great evening or an excruciating experience. The best guaranteed laughs are at Beach Blanket Babylon and Teatro Zinzanni.
BATS IMPROV Map
Bay Area Theatersports; 415-474-8935; www.improv.org; 3rd fl, bldg B, Fort Mason Center; shows usually $15, admission depends on class/event; weekend shows 8pm; 22, 28, 30
Bay Area Theatersports explores all things improv, from audience-inspired themes to wacked-out musicals at completely improvised weekend shows. Or take center stage yourself at an improv-comedy workshop (held on weekday nights and weekend afternoons). Think fast: classes fill quickly.
BEACH BLANKET BABYLON Map
415-421-4222; www.beachblanketbabylon.com; 678 Green St; admission $25-80; shows 8pm Wed & Thu, 6:30pm & 9:30pm Fri & Sat, 2pm & 5pm Sun; 45
San Francisco’s longest-running musical-cabaret spoofs current events with content that changes so often that stagehands giggle along with the audience. Some personalities seem a little dated (Richard Simmons?), but they’re in and out so fast the overall effect is hilarious. And oh! those hats – legendary. If you see only one show, make it BBB. Reservations essential; arrive one hour early for best seats. Under-21s admitted only at matinees.
COBB’S COMEDY CLUB Map
415-928-4320; www.cobbscomedyclub.com; 915 Columbus Ave; admission $10-35 plus 2-drink minimum; shows 8pm & 10pm; 15, 45; Powell-Mason
There’s no room to be shy at Cobb’s, where bumper-to-bumper shared tables make for an intimate (and vulnerable) audience. The comfy little club loves its local talent, but sometimes hosts big-name national acts. Check the website for shows.
PUNCH LINE Map
415-397-4337; www.punchlinecomedyclub.com; 444 Battery St; admission $12-23 plus 2-drink minimum; shows 8pm Sun, Tue-Thu, 8pm & 10pm Fri & Sat; 1, 2, 7, F, J, K, L, M, N; & Embarcadero
Known for launching promising talent (think Robin Williams, Chris Rock, Ellen DeGeneres and David Cross), this historic standup venue is small enough for you to see into performers’ eyes. Strong drinks